Love at First Sight

I had always dreamed of living by the beach, but never imagined I could own somewhere literally steps from the sand.

Seven years ago, while visiting friends in Mona Vale, I saw a For Sale sign outside this apartment. The possibility had never even occurred to me. I looked it up out of curiosity and, a few days later, I had signed the contract.

That sliding-doors moment changed the course of my life in Sydney.

Sea Fan spoke to my Perth heart, combining the Norfolk Island pines of Cottesloe Beach with the colours of Rottnest. Then came the delightful discovery that at Mona Vale Beach we get to enjoy both sunrise and sunset over the water. I could not believe my luck.

From the beginning, it was intended to be both a place for me and a place to share with friends and guests..

Why Sea Fan?

The name was originally inspired by a beautiful sea fan coral from the Caribbean framed artwork in the living room.

But it also became a play on words. Sea Fan is for people who are fans of the sea, whether that means swimming, surfing, walking on sand, listening to the waves or simply watching the light change across the water.

The apartment has always been shaped by the things I love: colour, art, stripes, books, objects collected over time and small details that make a stay more comfortable.

This Is the Life

This Is the Life has been part of my personal philosophy for many years.

For me, it describes those moments when life feels exactly right: waking with the sun, hearing the waves, going for a swim, sharing food with friends, watching the sky change colour or looking up at the stars.

Sea Fan became a place where those moments happened naturally. I wanted to share that feeling with my guests.

The Building

Sea Fan is part of a 1960s beachfront building shared by ten owners.

When I bought the apartment, the building had fallen into a state of unlove. Major works completed during 2021 and 2022 brought it back to compliance and gave it renewed care and attention.

I chair the strata committee and have developed a design master plan to guide future improvements, respect the character of the building and make sure each new decision contributes to the overall vision.

There is still another stage to come, including the landscape design of Surfview Lane and our Ocean Terrace.

Why Mona Vale?

Mona Vale is perfectly located in the heart of Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the gateway to the Pittwater peninsula. It is an easy base for exploring the area with Manly to the south, Palm Beach to the north and Pittwater and national parks all within easy reach.

But there is also plenty of reason to stay close to home. Mona Vale has the ocean, The Basin, an ocean pool, headlands, walks, cafés, shops, local history and a village with everything you will need.

The Colours of Sea Fan

Colour has always been part of who I am. Choosing one favourite has never been an option.

The Sea Fan palette brings together seven colours inspired by the coast: sunrise pinks and shades of coral, yellow for the sun and wattle puffs, Pommery Blue for the sparkling water (and champagne), aquamarine for the cool pool, sesame sand smoothed by time and sea glass green where the beach joins our shore.

They appear throughout the apartment, the artwork, the postcards and the ribbon used across the website.

I am always delighted when sunlight illuminates and brings colour to life: the shimmer in blue, the sparkle of aquamarine, the warmth of coral and the texture of natural materials.

I hope my guests enjoy being surrounded by nature, beauty and good company, and find themselves saying:

“THIS IS THE LIFE”